There's no room for comparison in music education

I don't rant very often.

Publicly. I do all the time to my family. Sorry, mum!

But this rant needs to be aired.

"I don't play board games in my lessons. I give proper lessons."

I see so many comments like that online.

And reading comments like the one above makes me pull a face and

think,

"Hang on. I play games. What are you trying to imply?"

We all teach differently.

Some teachers are traditional, taking a more “serious” approach.

Others are more playful, filling their lessons with games and activities.

And that's perfect.

Our differences are what make the world a more interesting place.

Teachers who put down other teachers and their way of teaching aren't better teachers.

If anything, they come across as insecure.

To feel confident and comfortable with the way they teach, they have to belittle other teachers.

Imagine if your students did that.

"Jenny messed up the chord at the end of her piece.

That means I'm a better pianist than her."

You'd immediately set that student straight.

There's no room for comparison in music education. For teachers or students.

If you're getting results, and you have happy smiling students, it doesn't matter how you got there.

Just that you did!

Rant over.